Sharpening device for surgical punches



Aug. 3, 1937. M. R. PECK SHARPENING DEVICE FOR SURGICAL PUNCHES FiledOct. 29, 1936 IN VENTOR, My 12. Pwk,

Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHARPENING DEVICE FORSURGICAL PUNCHES Application October 29, 1936, Serial No. 108,224

5 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to tool Sharpeners, and hasparticular reference to a device for sharpening surgical punches.

The type of surgical punch whose sharpening 5" is the ultimate object ofthe present invention consists essentially of a cylindrical tube Whoseforward edge is tapered and attenuated, so that when the punch isaxially advanced against a portion of tissue the sharpened edge willhave a loucutting effect upon the tissue. A surgical punch of this kindis used in association with an endoscopic sheath within which the punchis axially reciprocable. Means are provided at the rear end of thesheath for manually controlling the 15. reciprocative movements of thepunch, and at the forward or distal end of the sheath, there is usuallyprovided a fenestra within which the body of tissue may be positioned soas to lie in the path of action of the punch.

2 The complete surgical instrument, including the sheath and accessoryportions, is well known per se and is, therefore, not illustrated in theaccompanying drawing.

At periodic intervals, it becomes desirable to sharpen the forwardcutting edge of the punch, and it is the main object of the presentinvention to provide a convenient and simple device for permitting thissharpening to be effected.

A sharpening device or tool of the present character consistsessentially of a tapered plug which is adapted to enter the forward endof the punch, the sharpening action being accomplished by theapplication of abrasive material to the plug and by rotative movementsof the plug around its 35 axis.

A feature of my invention lies in associating with the plug a meanswhich engages snugly around the outside of the punch to assure amaintenance of the plug in axial alignment with the 40 punch during therotative movement of the plug.

In a preferred embodiment, the device consists of a sleeve applicableover the end of the punch, the outer end portion being constructed as afinger grip, and the plug being carried within the 45 sleeve.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustrativelyexemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein- 50 Figure 1 is aperspective view of a sharpening device of the present character, thesame being about to be applied to a punch which is to be sharpened;

Figure 2 is a side view of the present sharpen- 55 ing device by itself;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken sub-- stantially along the line33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken sub-- stantially along the line4-4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing 5. the punch and thesharpening device in operative association.

- For the purpose of explaining the present invention, I haveillustratively shown the forward portion of a punch tube Ill, the samebeing of cylindrical cross-section and having a forward cutting edge H.In the punch illustrated, a pair of rearwardly directed prongs 12 aredepicted/ These prongs facilitate the removal of the punched tissueportion after the punching action has been accomplished. The presentinvention, however, has reference only to the sharpening of the cuttingedge I I.

The present device consists of a cylindrical sleeve [3 whose internaldiameter is such that the sleeve may be applied endwise over the punchin a snug yet movable manner. At the outer end, the sleeve i3 isexternally knurled to provide the finger grip portion [4 by means ofwhich the sharpening device may be manipulated. This portion providesnot only a convenient means for grasping the device and applying it tothe punch, 1 but also enables the user to impart rotative movements tothe device.

Within the sleeve 13 I provide a tapered plug l5, preferably formed onthe rear end of an element l6 which is permanently secured within theouter portion of the sleeve I3. The taper on the plug 15 conformsexactly with the taper which the forward portion of the punch shouldembody.

At the midportion of the sleeve I3 I provide a pair of opposed aperturesI6 through which the plug I5 is visible, and through which abrasivematerial may be applied to the plug.

The sleeve I3 is composed of any convenient material, preferablynickel-plated metal, and the plug I5 is preferably composed of metalhaving adequate hardness for the contemplated purpose.

When the present device is to be used, the punch is first separated fromthe other portions of the surgical instrument of which it forms a part.The present tool is then applied over the end of the punch until theparts assume the relationship shown'most clearly in Figure 5. Abrasivematerial is then applied through the apertures l6 onto the plug I5, androtative movements are imparted to the plug. This is accomplished byholding the punch in one hand and by grasping the finger grip portion II with the other hand; 55..

then twirling the sharpening device with respect to the punch. At thesame time, a certain amount of pressure is exerted to maintain the plugand the punch in adequate rubbing contact. The device is simple enoughto permit it to be withdrawn from the punch with great ease, so that theefiect of the sharpening action may be periodically inspected. When thepunch is completely sharpened, it may be readily cleaned, sterilized,and set aside for subsequent use. Similarly, the present tool may becleaned or wiped off and laid aside until it is again required.

The forward portion of the sleeve I3 is an important feature of thepresent construction, because it snugly engages around the punch duringthe time that the plug is in rubbing action with the cutting edge of thepunch. This assures a maintenance of the plug in accurate axialalignment with the punch during the sharpening action.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of myinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A sharpeningdevice for a cylindrical surgical punch, comprising a cylindrical sleevesnugly applicable over the end of the punch, and a tapered plug carriedwithin the sleeve and adapted to enter into the punch.

2. A sharpening device for a cylindrical surgical punch, comprisingacylindrical sleeve snugly applicable over the end of the punch, and atapered plug carried within the sleeve and adapted to enter into thepunch, the outer end portion of the sleeve being constructed as a fingergrip portion to permit rotation of the plug within the punch. I

3. A sharpening device for a cylindrical surgical punch, comprising acylindrical sleeve snugly applicable over the end of the punch, and atapered plug carried within the sleeve and 1 adapted to enter into thepunch, the outer end portion of the sleeve being constructed as a fingergrip portion to permit rotation of the plug within the punch, themidportion of the sleeve having an aperture to permit introduction ofabrasive material to the plug. I

4. A sharpening device for a cylindrical surgical punch, comprising atapered plug insertable into the end of the punch, a finger gripenabling rotative movement of the plug around its axis, and meanscarried by the plug and adapted to engage snugly around the punch tomaintain the plug in axial. alignment with the punch during saidrotative movement.

5, A sharpening device for a cylindrical sur gical punch, comprising atapered plug insertable into the end of the punch, and a cylindricalsleeve carried by the plug and adapted to engage snugly around the punchwhen the plug is inserted, whereby the plug upon rotation may bemaintained in axial alignment with the punch. l

MYRLE R. PECK.

